Andy Reid On His Return: ‘My Son Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way’

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Andy Reid’s voice quivered a few times as he spoke to the media for the first time since his son Garrett’s death. Reid is back at Lehigh for Eagles training camp and participated in this morning’s walk through.

“I’m a football coach. That’s what I do. I know my son wouldn’t want it any other way,” Andy Reid said about his return, which comes a day after his eldest son’s funeral. Garrett Reid was part of the strength and conditioning team for the Eagles.

“Yesterday was a humbling experience. But this football team was there. I want to make sure they’re ok too,” Reid said. “I just follow my heart. The support of my family, my wife.”

“We will work through this. My family, and my football family,” Reid said when talking about both the Eagles organization and the hundreds from across the NFL who have offered their support and attended Tuesday’s funeral. Reid said he was moved by the support from the fans and the media as well, who he includes in his football family.

Michael Vick said he was going to dedicate this season to Garrett Reid. “Michael [Vick] and Garrett were close. They developed a bond,” Andy Reid said. Reid noted that his son and Vick had shared experiences that drew them together.

Garrett Reid battled addiction for almost a decade. “It’s like fighting a grizzly bear. It’s hard to win,” Reid said of his son’s fight.

When asked, Reid said this event could be something that brings the team closer. “It’s not one experience that makes up a team. It’s many experiences that bring a team together.”